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Another civilian killed in Tamil Nadu as police fires on protesters demanding closure of polluting Vedanta copper plant

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One more civilian has confirmed to have died in police firing on protesters demanding closure of UK-based Vedanta Resources subsidiary Sterlite’s copper smelter in Tamil Nadu’s southern district.

Thousands of residents in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi protested on Saturday demanding that the Sterlite Copper Smelter Plant, which is reportedly polluting the air and groundwater, be closed.

Most shops and business establishments were closed after members of more than 50 trade associations called for a shutdown. “The 50 associations have extended support to the one-day strike,” M Krishnamoorthy, a coordinator of the protest, told The Times of India.

The protesters had assembled neat the Collector’s office in Tuticorin to mark the hundredth day of protests. Today’s firing took place at Anna Nagar where a group of people were assembled. The person was identified as Kaliappan, 22.

Since morning, the police had asked the public to remain indoors to avoid any untoward incident.

The injured in Wednesday’s police action have been taken to the Government Hospital, officials said. Police also fired tear gas at the crowd assembled outside the Government Hospital where the bodies of the 10 who died in Tuesday’s firing were kept.

Over 11 people have been killed and over 30 have been injured so far.

The crowds were shouting slogans against the Sterlite plant and against the police. As they refused to disperse, police fired tear gas.

At least thirty others have been injured, N Venkatesh, District Collector, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu said.

 

 

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